Use the Pythagorean Theorem Quick Check
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Question
Use the image to answer the question.
A right triangle shows the base with a value of 3, the hypotenuse on the left with a value of 15, and the perpendicular side to the base on the right with a question mark.
Apply the Pythagorean Theorem to find the unknown side length in the given triangle. Round your answer to the nearest tenth.
(1 point)
Responses
15.3
15.3
234
234
216
216
14.7
To apply the Pythagorean Theorem, we can use the formula:
c^2 = a^2 + b^2
In this case, the hypotenuse is 15 (c) and the base is 3 (a). We need to find the length of the perpendicular side (b).
15^2 = 3^2 + b^2
225 = 9 + b^2
Subtracting 9 from both sides, we get:
216 = b^2
Taking the square root of both sides, we find:
b = √216
Using a calculator, this is approximately 14.7.
Therefore, the unknown side length in the given triangle is approximately 14.7.
The correct answer is 14.7.